Hyundai reveals new Santa Fe ahead of Geneva debut

The fourth-gen Hyundai Santa Fe has been revealed ahead of its official debut at the Geneva motor show next month.

The flagship SUV gets a look derived from the smaller Kona and Nexo SUVs, with split headlight clusters and a trapezoidal grille. At 4,770mm in length and 1,890mm in width, it is 70mm longer and 10mm wider than the outgoing model. The additional length also brings about a longer wheelbase, and leg room for rear-seat passengers is said to have been improved.

Under the bonnet will be a choice of three engines, two of which are new to the model. The existing 197hp 2.2-litre diesel will be joined in the line-up by a new 2.0-litre diesel. A 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is also in the range. An eight-speed automatic transmission is available with all three units.

Technology takes a step forward over the previous model, with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), lane keep assist and lane departure warnings all standard on the new car. A driver alertness system and other safety assistance features are also installed, as well as a voice recognition system with build-in Artificial Intelligence.

Also new to Hyundai is a Safety Exit Assist system, which uses sensors in the rear of the car to prevent rear-seat passengers from opening the doors into the path of approaching traffic, and warns front-seat passengers if they are about to do so. Inside the new Santa Fe, the styling has been brought into line with the latest i30.